South African flag that flew at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration to be sold at London auction

SA flag from Mandela’s inauguration up for auction

LONDON — A London auction house is selling a South African flag that flew during Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as the country’s first black president.

Auctioneer Bonhams says the 5 foot by 7½ foot (155 centimeter by 230 centimeter) flag was flown from a helicopter above the ceremony in Pretoria on May 10, 1994.

It is signed by Mandela, his predecessor F.W. De Klerk and his successor Thabo Mbeki and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Mandela’s inauguration was one of the first occasions on which South Africa’s multicolored post-apartheid flag was displayed.

The flag is expected to sell for 10,000 pounds to 15,000 pounds ($16,000 to $24,000) on March 24.

Bonhams did not identify the seller Wednesday but says the flag was previously owned by the helicopter pilot, Maj. Louis de Waal.